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Out in the cold for the homeless

Posted by Miriam Breslow on March 26, 2015 in News

Pictured (L to R): Duncan Forbes, Molly Scott (a "guest sleeper"), Breanne Beckett, Maddie Toohey, Katie Flanagan.
Not pictured: Devon Bates and Hima Merdan.


The last night was the worst, confirmed Breanne Beckett. Temperatures dipped to –28C with wind chill last Thursday night as Breanne and six other Commerce students huddled under a tarp outside the Rowe Building. The students had been sleeping outside since the previous Sunday for the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign. “We had some volunteers drop off extra blankets,” said Breanne, chairperson of the Dalhousie Commerce Society and one of the main organizers of the campaign. “We arranged the tarp as best we could and just supported each other.”

5 Days for the Homeless began at the University of Alberta in 2005 and has spread across the country. This year, students from 26 universities participated, including Dalhousie—the only school east of Montreal to take part. This is the second year the Commerce Society has hosted the event. Six students—Devon Bates, Breanne Beckett, Katie Flanagan, Duncan Forbes, Hima Merdan and Maddie Toohey—made up the core group, with a different “guest sleeper” joining them each night. The goal of the campaign was twofold: to increase awareness of the plight of the homeless and those at risk of becoming so, and to raise funds for Phoenix Youth Programs.

The students succeeded on both counts. “We’ve had so many supporters sharing their story, lots of people approaching us and starting a conversation about homelessness,” explains Breanne, “and that was one of our goals, to start the conversation and have the community continue it.” Breanne revealed that the project had also raised awareness in the students themselves. She described the experience, and particularly hearing the stories of those who have been homeless, as humbling. “It takes a lot of courage for those people to bring their stories forward and share them with us,” Breanne reflected. “What we’re trying to do is break the stigma of homelessness and break the discomfort of that conversation. Those people, just by stepping up, are doing that in such a courageous way. We obviously can’t relate.” After their week in the cold, Breanne said, all of the students see their community differently.

The students also succeeded in their goal to raise funds. At the closing ceremony, they presented a “cheque” for $7,749 to Carol Anne Smith, Melanie Sturk and Amanda MacDonald from Phoenix and, since then, donations have continued online, now totalling $9,190. The students were proud to help Phoenix, whose mission to support homeless and at-risk youth in and around Halifax suited the mandate of 5 Days perfectly. “What’s best about Phoenix is that they do a whole spectrum of services…” said Breanne. “Knowing that there are organizations like that that help people in the real situation…that’s humbling.” Breanne described her thoughts on the last night of the campaign: “There’ve been so many people cheering us on, saying ‘it’s just a few more hours.’ But who’s saying that for those for whom there’s no end in sight? ... Last night got me thinking, we get to end this experience, but it doesn’t end without the right supports.” Breanne said she can definitely see herself contributing more to these supports in the future. In the meantime, she will never again pass those asking for change in the street without a greeting. Explained Breanne, “We need society to treat homeless people as people.”

Donations to 5 Days for the Homeless can be made at 5days.ca/Dalhousie/donate until March 31.